Chapter 111: Anubis
While William was still distracted, pondering all the possibilities, Rak’sa Mahlim, still kneeling with his head bowed to the ground, spoke in a completely submissive tone.
"Master... if you permit me, it is tradition for the master to bestow a name upon his subordinate... please grant me a name."
William observed him in silence for a few seconds. That creature, a mix of humanoid and jackal, with its imposing armor and firm bearing resembling a general commanding millions of troops, reminded him of something buried deep in his memory. In his old world... a mythological figure, an Egyptian god, guardian of the dead. That was the best description of what he wanted in his general, the guardian of the dead in a nightmare world.
"I will call you Anubis," he finally said. "For one day you shall be the god who guards the passage to eternity."
Anubis slowly raised his head, and an emotion difficult to describe reflected in his face: pride, loyalty... and something close to religious fanaticism. There was no doubt that he would now die for William, even without the tattoo’s control.
"It is a glorious name... I am honored. I swear to honor that name with my life," Anubis solemnly declared.
Without another word, Anubis slowly rose. He took the sword without drawing it from its sheath and, with solemnity, knelt again, but now with only one knee on the ground. If before he had surrendered to William, now it was more a symbolic act of handing over his weapon to his master. With both hands extended, he presented his sword to William; the blade still emitted a faint, ghostly purple glow.
William took it. He expected considerable weight, but as his fingers brushed the hilt, the sword felt light... absurdly light. As if he were carrying a mere branch.
"What...? How is this possible?"